Velocipede



(No Model.)

A. VIOK.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 346,078. Patented July 20, 1886.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED VICK, CF MOUNT CARMEL, CONNECTICUT.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,078, dated July 20, 1886.

Application filed May 8, 1886. Serial No. 201,526. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED VIOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Carmel, in the county of New Haven, State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hobby -Velocipedes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a hobby-velocipede embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a top or plan view thereof, partly sectional. Fig. 8 represents a side elevation of a detached part. Fig. 4 represents a top view of a detached part.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of a hobby-velocipede which is easily operated, constructed strong and durable, and provided with foot-cranks which may be adjusted in height, and means for adjusting the tension of the chain or band which communicates power to the axle, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the body of a velocipede, the same being of the form of a figure of an animal, in the present case that of a horse, and B the legs thereof.

C represents a seat for the rider, the same being mounted on the axle D, having wheels E, one of said wheels being loose on the axle.

F represents shafts which are mounted at rear on the axle D, and secured at front to the figure A.

At the front of the figure is the pilot or steering wheel G, which is of the form of a caster, and has its spindle H passed through a boss, J, the latter having arms K, which are secured to the front legs, and ears L, which are secured to one of the legs, thus firmly holding the boss in position and strengthening the front legs. Theupper end of the spindle has secured to it an arm, M, to which the lines or straps N are attached, the latter reaching to the rider, whereby the steering of the velocipede may be readily accomplished.

Depending from the rear part of the figure is a slotted segment, P, the upper end whereof is branched or forked and attached to the legs of the figure, thus firmly holding the segment in position and strengthening the legs. On the segment is a slide, Q, which has an oblong slot, at, through which is passed a screw-bolt,

R, the latter having its head R bear against the slide, and its nut R" screw against the segn1ent,whereby the slide may be firmly clamped to the segment. On the rear of the segment are ratchet-teeth S, and on ,the lower side of the slide Q is a tooth, T, which is adapted to engage with either of the ratchet-teeth S. The slide has at is forward side a bolt or screw, U, whose point is adapted to bear against the segment P, and its rear is formed with arms V, on which is supported a shaft, W, which is provided with foot-cranks X, and has lecured to it a wheel, Y. A similar wheel, Y, is secured to the rear axle, D, and around the two wheels a chain, Z, is passed, ,whereby when the cranks are operated the power is communicated to the axle D and the fixed wheels E thereof, and thus the velocipede is propelled.

It will be seen that by loosening the nut R the slide may be raised in order to elevate the footcranks, or the slide may be moved so that the tooth T clears the engaged tooth of the ratchet S, and said slide may be lowered, thus lowering the cranks. By these provisions the cranks may be adjusted to the requirements of the rider. When the cranks are adjusted, the nut R is tightened and the slide retains its position. Should the chain Z be too tight or become slack, the screw U is rotated in the proper direction, so as to cause or allow the tooth T of the slide to turn on the tooth of the ratchet S as a fulcrum,whereby the arms V are raised or lowered, as the case may be, thus moving the wheel Y near the center of the segment, and loosening the chain or moving it from said center and tight- 9o ening said chain.

In the rotation of the slide on the tooth of the ratchet the slot a permits the slide to move without necessarily withdrawing the bolt R.

Having thus described my invention, what 5 I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A hobby velocipede having a front steering-wheel, the spindle whereof is passed through a boss which is formed with arms,

the latter being connected with the legs of the figure of the velocipede and bracing the same, substantially as described.

2. A slotted segment supporting the footcrauks, formed with brackets which are secured to the hind legs of the figure and brace the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 3. A'segment, a slide adjustably fitted to said segment formed with arms, a chain or band-wheel mounted on said arms, and footcranks connected with said wheel, combined and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A segment with a ratchet and a slide with a tooth fitted to said segment, a screw on said slide, a wheel with foot-cranks mounted on said slide, and a chain communicating motion from said wheel to an axle of the velocipede, combined substantially as described, whereby the slide may turn on the ratchet and the tension of said chain be adjusted, as stated.

5. A slotted segment, a slide supported thereon, and foot-cranks mounted on said slide, in combination with a bolt and nut, whereby said cranks may be vertically adjusted, as stated.

6. A toothed segment, a toothed slide fitted to said segment, arms connected with said slide, a wheel mounted on said arms, footcranks secured to said wheel, a wheel on the axle, a chain or belt passing around said wheels, and an adjusting-screw on said slide, combined substantially as described, whereby the chain may be tightened and loosened or adjusted, as stated.

ALFRED VICK.

W'itnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDEnsHEIM, A. P. GRANT. 

